Next Chapter is up! Enjoy! Ayaka's POV for most of the story!
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Explanatory chapter mostly! Next is Berserker's attack!
Chapter 3- Start of Fate
Ayaka POV
Ayaka stared at the male, Saber in front of her. Had that really just happened? Had she really just been saved by a last minute summoning? No, no, no. Oh No. The one thing she had wanted not to happen to her just did. She had summoned a Servant. Now she had no choice to participate in the War that had ended up killing her Father and Sister.
"Master." Saber leaned down, "Are you alright Master? You're hurt, do you require aid?" He said, looking down at the slight blood on her chest.
Ayaka quickly shook her head, "It's just a-a cut..." She stammered out, panic slowly rising in her. She was more bruised than anything. The only real blood came from that tint cut from Lancer's spear.
Saber nodded, "Well, Master. If you are fine enough to stand, I would like to affirm our pact." His blue eyes were extremely kind and gentlemanly as he held out a hand towards her.
"Don't call me Master..." Ayaka said, her breathing starting to become ragged as she stared at him. "I'm not you're Master... I'm not like Rin or Reirouken! I don't want to be a Master! I can't fight! I can't kill anyone!" Ayaka said, closing her eyes tightly and covering her face with her hands.
Saber blinked down at her and looked down at her chest as chastely as possible, catching seraphic looking marks on her chest under her ripped blouse. "If you do not mind me saying, Master. You have the command seals of a Master. Therefore you must be my Master. Please Master, allow me to help you." He gently wiggled his fingers prompting her to take his hand.
Ayaka peeked through her fingers and saw that he was right, there were command seals on her chest. Was there any point in resisting? With a sigh, Ayaka let Saber help her up to her feet. "Thank you for saving me, Saber." She said softly.
"There is no need to thank me." Saber said, watching as Ayaka brushed herself off. He was truly grateful that she was not horribly harmed. "My sword shall be your shield and your fate shall be my fate." He pledged, finishing their pact. "Master... may I ask your name?"
Ayaka blushed, "I-it's Ayaka. Sajyou Ayaka." She said softly, meeting his blue eyes shyly. "So, just call me Ayaka. Master makes me uncomfortable." She said.
"Ayaka..." Saber tried out the name on his tongue before smiling, stunning her. His smile was like the Sun. "Yes, I think I shall call you such." He stiffened a moment later. "Lady Ayaka, I wish I could reveal my name to you... however, two more Servants are approaching."
"Now?!" Ayaka demanded horrified, blue eyes widening. Why two of them?! Was her luck so bad that three different Servants wanted to kill her in one night?! Was it the Servant she saw in front of the church?
Saber must have seen how nervous she was because he smiled, "Trust in my sword, My Lady. I will protect you."
Ayaka nodded nervously, she had no choice did she? At this point, it was either fight or die... and she wanted to live.
"Stay by my side, Master." Saber said, leading the way out of Garden. Ayaka trailed behind him after a moment of hesitation.
As soon as she left her house, Ayaka heard quick footsteps heading towards her and she saw Saber stiffen up. She looked around the street and saw a familiar figure dressed in red round the corner of her street.
"Saber wa-" It was too late, Saber lunged at the familiar figure and before his gleaming sword could touch her, a Servant clad in red appeared in front of her, blocking Saber's sword with his own and causing the red-dressed girl to fall back.
"What the hell?!" An angry female voice rang through the still night and Ayaka hurried over to Saber and the unknown Servant. "What's the meaning of this Sajyou?!"
Ayaka came to a stop beside Saber who pulled back once he realized that the black haired girl knew his Master. "Rin..." She felt herself shrink into herself at Rin's aqua eyed glare. "Are you alright?"
"Am I alright?!" Rin demanded, pushing herself up and dusting herself off. "I was on my way toward the Kirei's church when I sensed a Servant in your home. I knew you didn't plan on participating in the Holy Grail War and some other Master's Servant was attacking you with no cause! Despite my better judgement, I came to try and help you! But instead..." Rin's fist shook with her rising frustration and Ayaka took a step back. "Your Servant attacked me! This is the last time I come to help someone!"
Well... Ayaka honestly didn't know what to say. Rin probably thought that she had lied to her all along and even though she didn't show it, beneath her frustration, Ayaka knew Rin must have felt betrayed. "I promise Rin, this all just happened." Ayaka tried to explain raising her hands in a sign of surrender. "I was attacked by Lancer and right before he could kill me, command seals formed and Saber appeared!"
"Stop right there." Rin said, pointing an accusatory finger at Ayaka's face, aqua eyes narrowed. "Are you telling me, that you were the one that was attacked by Lancer and you were the one who summoned Saber?"
"Yes." Ayaka said, she was never good when Rin acted like this. As fake as it was, Ayaka would have rather taken Rin's fake Idol persona then her real, short-tempered one. At times, it seemed like anything could set her off. "I'm sorry, I know you were aiming for Saber-" Ayaka cut off when she saw Rin's eyes narrow into a dangerous look.
Rin held that look for a moment more before sighing, her head dropping in defeat. "That's not it. What you've told me sounds impossible."
Saber spoke up at that, not liking the idea that Rin was accusing his Master of lying. "I assure, Lady Rin, that what Lady Ayaka is saying is the truth."
Rin eyed the Saber Servant and Ayaka wondered what she would say next. "I'm not accusing her of lying. Ayaka would never lie straight to my face." Rin said sounding confident. "I'm saying it's impossible, because that's the second time I've heard that story. This is also my second time suddenly getting attacked on the street while trying to help." She glared at Saber, "What is it with Saber-class Servants? Do they have an impulse for attacking for no reason?"
Ayaka looked at Rin in confusion, her earlier words finally registering with her. "Why are you going to see Kotomine? You never see him if you can and you could have just called to tell him you summoned your Servant. Why are you even out this late at night to see him of all people?"
Rin opened her mouth to answer when her Servant spoke up, "Master, looked like he has caught up."
Ayaka looked at the Servant that Rin had. He was tall, with extremely tanned skin, white hair and dark gray eyes. He also had on black Armour with silver lining and accents and over the black armour was a red coat over his arms that matched the red skirt attached around his waist. It was probably by coincidence, but Ayaka couldn't help but notice that both Rin and her Servant wore red as their main colors.
"Finally." Rin sighed, "You'd think he'd run faster. Sajyou, you're answer is that." She pointed at the street behind her and Ayaka's blue eyes widened at what she saw.
Emiya Shirou. He was dressed in a light jacket with a white body and black sleeves and simple jeans. His orange hair ruffled slightly, but his golden-brown eyes were alert as they looked at her. What was he doing here? And what who was that person in front of him? All she could tell was that the person was blonde and that the large poncho he was wearing barely concealed his silver and blue Armour.
"Sajyou-san?!" Shirou demanded, a stunned look on his face. "What are you doing?! First I learn that Tohsaka is a mage and now you're one too?!"
For some reason that angered her, "Don't pretend that you didn't know! You're the son of Emiya Kiritsugu! The Magus-Killer! Yo had to know I was a Mage!" Ayaka snapped. "That's why you entered this Holy Grail War isn't it?! To kill Mages?!"
"Magus-Killer?!" Shirou demanded his own anger entering his voice at the accusation she was making about his Father. "What are you talking about? I don't even know what the Holy Grail War is! All I know is what Tohsaka just told me tonight!"
"Right." Ayaka snapped, she aimed her ring at Shirou's heart, if he made any sudden moves... she didn't care if his Servant got revenge, this had been a long time coming after all.
"Hold on Sajyou!" Rin rose her hand and pointed a finger at Ayaka, ready to fire a gandr shot if she had to. "Can't you tell? Emiya is a novice. He can barely do any magecraft, not fix a window or even a healing spell." Rin then gave Shirou a quick glare. "He's such a novice that he can't even properly supply his Servant with mana, why do you think he's here in the open?"
Ayaka looked from her Saber, to the Servant near Shirou, to Shirou and then finally at Rin. "And you've decided to help him out of the goodness of your heart? That's not like you Rin."
"And you don't usually lash out like this." Rin lowered her arm as she sighed. "Besides, don't get the wrong idea. I'm only taking Emiya-kun to see that Fake Priest so he has a full understanding of the Holy Grail War. And as long as he stays out of my way after that, I won't kill him and you can do as you please."
Shirou looked slightly unnerved at that, "Hey, Tohsaka! I don't want to fight you."
Rin pointed her finger at Shirou then. "Quiet, you hack!" Rin then pouted as she looked at the cloaked Servant before her eyes went to Ayaka's Saber. "Ah! Both of you are hacks! How could this have happen?!" Rin threw her arms over her head as she fell to her knees, shaking her head as she grumbled to herself.
They all watched for aa moment as Rin continued to throw her tantrum, Ayaka's anger disappearing for moment before Shirou stepped forward, noticing her ripped blouse.
"Sajyou-san, are you okay?" Shirou asked, he took another step and Ayaka fired a barrage of black plumes from her ring. They would have impaled him if his Servant hadn't stepped in the way, blowing back the feathers with a gale of wind as he threw off the poncho revealing bright blonde hair and green eyes.
Ayaka's eyes widened as she took Shirou's Servant in. Why did he look familiar. The Servant took a defensive position in front of his Master with his hands gripping... an invisible sword? There was only a slight glint in the air to tell that it was even there at all.
Saber gasped at the sight of the other Servant but he took up a protective stance in front of Ayaka anyways, his shoulders tense as his grip on his own sword tightened.
"Wait! I don't want to fight Sajyou-san!" Shirou protested.
Rin rose to her feet thanks to the commotion, "What Saber? Not going to attack her? She did attack your Master after all."
"Why haven't you Rin? His Father was the Magus-Killer after all, I never understood why you allowed him to stay in your territory as a Magus! That man... he killed so many Mages! My Father and Sister... he kidnapped me..." Ayaka snapped shaking with anger. "You never took action against the family who killed your Father either! A Master in the previous War killed your Father and severely damaged your Mother! And don't forget Sak-"
"Enough!" Rin snapped anger in her eyes. "They aren't a threat to me. And you know the other topic is taboo. Never speak of it, Sajyou."
"Master," The Servant that was protecting Shirou spoke up, his voice rich and formal. "May I?" He nodded his head towards Ayaka and when Shirou nodded, he spoke to her directly, his green eyes meeting her blue ones. "You must calm down Ayaka. None of us want to fight you, and I do not wish to battle your Servant."
"Huh?" Ayaka exchanged a confused look with Rin, in all this chaos, she was the only one she felt completely comfortable with. "How do you know my name?"
"I was summoned as the Servant, Saber in the previous War as well. I was summoned as your Sister, Manaka's Servant." The blonde said, causing Ayaka to gasp. "I can't remember much of the War, but I am sorry I was unable to protect your family." He paused, his eyes going to her Saber. "And honestly, I expected to be summoned by you, if I were to be summoned again. Though I am grateful that a fellow Knight of renown and virtue has been summoned in my stead."
"Wait!" Rin said, "That's not right! Servants aren't suppose to retain any memories of previous Wars they've been summoned to before! They're memories should be blank!"
"Mine are... special circumstances." Shirou's Saber said, he then glanced back at Shirou. "Master, you should know that I still find it as my duty as a Knight to protect this girl from harm. Especially since I was unable to before in the last War. If you wish me to cause harm to her, you'll have to use a command spell."
"I don't want to fight her!" Shirou said again, sounding frustrated.
"Master, may I speak?" Rin's Servant finally spoke and Ayaka looked at him in surprise. He had been watching so silently that she had forgotten he was there.
"What is it, Archer?" Rin asked, annoyance dancing in her voice.
Archer's eyes went to her before staying on Shirou. "You have two, potentially weak Masters in front of you, no matter how strong the Servant. Why don't you just kill them here?"
Rin was silent for a long time and Ayaka was afraid that she was actually considering Archer's words. "No. It doesn't sit well with me, the idea of fighting someone who doesn't really know what's happening." She looked at Shirou, before her eyes went to Ayaka, "And as for Sajyou... well, she has the same Guardian as me, so it wouldn't be right either."
Ayaka sighed in relief. That was not a good excuse at all, but Ayaka got the point. Rin was hesitant to kill her because of their similar backgrounds and the time they were forced spend together as children. Even if the two girls didn't have a close bond, there was at least something between them.
"Whatever you wish, Master. Call me if you need me." Archer sighed, turning into spirit form.
Rin looked at the spot where Archer disappeared and sighed. "Geez... now. Lets go."
"Go where?" Shirou asked confused, rubbing his head. "Shouldn't we just go home? It's late."
Rin growled, stalking over to him before grabbing him by the shirt and pulling him down until they were on eye-level. "We're going to the church. I want to know why there are two Sabers and why it sounds as if there are two Lancers. I won't hear any arguments from either of you. Got that?"
Ayaka felt a chill go through her at Rin's tone. Now that was a argue-and-die tone if she had ever heard one. Ayaka yelped as Rin stormed pass her, latching onto her wrist as she did so and dragging her along with Shirou, since she still had a tight grip on his shirt
"H-hey! Tohsaka! Let go! I won't run away!" Shirou said, tripping over his feet as he tried to walk in a bent position.
Ayaka just sighed and said nothing. She knew from experience that when Rin was like this, there was no stopping her. Anyways, she couldn't deny that she was curious too, it was strange that there seemed to be two of every class and the only man who had answers was Kotomine.
Ayaka sighed as Rin let go of her, rubbing her wrist where Rin had latched onto. It seemed like all three of them had a truce now, at least until they talked to Kotomine. All of them had different reasons of course; Rin wanted answers to the doubling of Servants, Shirou wanted to know more about the Grail War and Ayaka herself... well she didn't know what she was doing. Maybe she would relinquish her command seals after all.
It also seemed like Saber and Shirou's Saber knew each other but neither would admit to it. They walked closely together and there was no tension between them. Her Saber seemed content to walk, speaking pleasantly with them if they listened but Shirou's Saber had a look of deep contemplation and sorrow on his face. It was no wonder, for him, it could have been hours since he failed to save her Father and Sister instead of ten years.
They walked silently and Ayaka was still a little wary of Shirou but Rin vouched for him and his basic skills as a mage. Even Shirou admitted that Kiritsugu had only taught him the basic magics and how to reinforce objects.
Ayaka frowned, she didn't like it, but maybe Shirou wasn't as bad as she originally thought. She listened as he explained how he got caught up in the War, how he saw Archer and Lancer battling and once he had been caught watching, how Lancer chased him down and gave him a wound that should have been fatal. She listened as Shirou explained he woke up in the school's hallway with a red jewel pendant lying next to him, clearly left behind by his Savior.
When he said red pendant Ayaka immediately looked towards Rin, watching as she blushed. The Tohsaka's specialized in jewel magic and it was clear that Rin was the one who saved him. The only question was why? Ayaka couldn't figure it out. Maybe the Holy Grail War was affecting Rin like the rest of them, just in a different way.
It took them a while longer, but eventually, the group made it to Kotomine's church and a chill went up Ayaka's spine as she looked around the area. Was that Servant from earlier still there? Had it waited on the off-chance of Ayaka coming back?
"Lets go." Rin said after a moment, leading the way into the church. Shirou trailing behind and Ayaka after.
Ayaka stared up at the building, a sense of foreboding swelling in her stomach. She just knew what was coming next was not going to be good.
"Well, what do I have here? Both of my precious wards come to visit? That's an oddity in itself." A man with dull brown eyes and hair turned towards them, he was fully clothed in a black Priest uniform
"And the son of Emiya Kiritsugu is with you too." Kotomine noted, "Is this what it took for you two to visit me? It's not proper for young ladies such as yourselves to ignore my calls. I am your legal guardian after all."
Rin scowled, "We don't have time for that. Emiya-kun has no clue what he's gotten himself into and Sajyou has summoned a Saber. Apparently, at the same time as Emiya-kun had. And there are two Lancers."
"Two Sabers?" Kotomine mused, his voice disinterested as usual. "How strange indeed. Is what I would have said if you came earlier. It seems that this is an irregular Holy Grail War, two of every Servant-class has been summoned. Sajyou Ayaka and Emiya Shirou are in fact, the thirteenth and fourteenth Masters of this Holy Grail War."
All three gaped at him. "That's not possible!" Rin exclaimed. "Only seven Masters can be chosen! I thought the Grail could only summon seven."
"Who told you that? Every system has exceptions and the Grail is no different." Kotomine said calmly. "Under ordinary circumstances, the Grail only allows for seven Servants, that is true. However, the Founders of the Holy Grail War installed a reserve system as part of the Greater Fuyuki Grail. The leyline in Fuyuki will be drained, but it permits for another seven Servants to be summoned. Thus fourteen Masters and fourteen Servants."
"Why would the Founders do that?" Ayaka asked, horrified at the thought of double the Servants.
"The Founders were afraid that alliances would form between the Masters. That would defeat the purpose of the Holy Grail War, so to ensure it would continue the reserve system was created." Kotomine explained.
"Smaller alliances could still form." Rin shot back.
"Yes, but sooner or later, the numbers would dwindle and former allies would have to fight each other." Kotomine countered before sighing, "I may be the Overseer of this War and cannot directly get involved, but I do feel obliged to warn you, Rin and you, Ayaka that there are target painted on both your backs. Ayaka, because your Sister almost won and Rin, of course, because you are the descendant of one of the founding families."
"But, I don't have my Sister's potential!" Ayaka protested.
"And yet, you summoned a Saber class Servant. That means something. Either way, the other Masters won't take that into account. You both know that this War shows know mercy." Kotomine said.
"Actually..." Shirou cut in, feeling embarrassed and confused. "I still have no idea what's happening."
Rin and Ayaka listened as Kotomine explained the Holy Grail War to Shirou whose expression went from disbelief to horror as he learned that the fire that happened in Fuyuki ten years ago was because of a corrupted Holy Grail.
He then went on to say that he couldn't let such a catastrophe happen again and that he would fight in the Holy Grail War to save as many people as possible.
That shocked Ayaka, she had never expected something like that to come out of his mouth; especially since he was Emiya Kiritsugu's son.
"What about you Ayaka?" Kotomine asked, giving her a smile that chilled her to the bone. "I happen to know that you never planned to join the Holy Grail War, despite my urging. Do you plan to relinquish your command seals or do you plan to fight?"
Instinctively, Ayaka's hand went to her chest where her commands seals were. What would she do? She didn't want to end up like Manaka and her Father. She couldn't fight. She wasn't strong enough... but Shirou's conviction echoed in her head. He had just learned of the Holy Grail War and decided to fight to save people not kill them. Even if he was barely a Mage, he had chosen the path Ayaka was too afraid to take.
She then remembered Saber and how he had saved her from Lancer and his sunny smile and kind eyes. His formal, comforting way of speaking. Saber had answered her summons. At best, he would find a new Master to make a contract with and at worst, he'd just fade away. Knowing that he was a Knight, Ayaka had a feeling that the latter option was more likely to happen; he would feel obligated to keep their contract even if it meant losing the chance to win the Grail. Was she really that selfish to take the Grail away from someone who had saved her without even allowing a chance to gain it?
"I'll fight." Ayaka said, surprising Rin and Shirou, but of course, Kotomine didn't seem shocked at all.
"Very well." Kotomine nodded as if he knew the outcome. "Then I wish all of you the best of luck."
None of them said anything as they headed out of the church, but Ayaka could just feel it. This Holy Grail War would be the bloodiest one yet and there would be no small amount of sacrifices.
End! Sorry it was so long and an explanation chapter! I just wanted to get the church scene over with so that Berserker can appear faster.
Next chapter will be action! Promise!
Please review!